Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Twenty One

"Seri, maccha. Approval file vandhadhum sollu. Vaikuren" Ashwin ended the call with Stanley.

(Okay, dude. Let me know once you get the approval file. I'll hang up)

It has been two days since Ashwin came back from Chennai. He left the night after spending whole day with Sivaangi. He spent yesterday with his mother and grandmother, took care of batter shops accounts and rested.

When the day began, Ashwin was busy with Stanley and Sanjay regarding the new business. Stanley resides at Chennai while Sanjay at Coimbatore but Sanjay often goes to Chennai. Ashwin, given his other commitments, mostly stays here and travel only required.

After shooting a text to Sivaangi, Ashwin looked at the half-done mannequin. His lips curl into a smile as he walked towards it. Running his hand on the fabric, he took out sequins, needle and thread before immersing himself in work.

There Sivaangi was at the recording studio with Darbuka Siva. The recording went till evening and by the time she reached home it was eight thirty. Krishnakumar and Binni went to Dubai. Sundar went to Bangalore for a work. So, it was just Kaleeswaran, Anuradha, Harish and Sivaangi.

But when Sivaangi came home, she was surprised to see Anusha in the living room. Shrieking in joy, she ran to her sister and hugged her.

"Sivuuu!" Anusha laughed patting her sister's back before breaking the hug.

"Nee vara nu enaku yarume sollalaye kaa"

(No one told me that you are coming, sis)

The sisters sat down.

"Unna surprise panlam nu dhan"

(I wanted to surprise you)

"Haiyada, uruttadha ka. Velai nu vandhrupa" Sivaangi bumped her shoulder with Anusha's making Anusha rise an eyebrow at her. Sivaangi added, "Yenna look uh? Unmai dhana?"

(As if! You must have come because of work... why are you giving this look now? What I said was true right?)

"Adiyeiii, ungala surprise panna dhan. Aprm work um dhan. Seri, adha vidu. Recording yepdi pochu?" Anusha side-hugged Sivaangi coaxing her.

(Hareyy, I came to surprise you all. Also, for work. Okay, leave that. How did your recording go?)

The dinner was chatty and post that Anuradha, Anusha, Harish and Sivaangi sat down to discuss about LS project and the study of resources in and around Kovai. It was decided that Anusha will go to Coimbatore with Anuradha.

Even though Sivaangi wanted to go, the recording is yet to complete. Harish still had work regarding his new book. So, Anuradha thought its best she accompanies Anusha. They have their set of people working there and if needed, Ashwin is there to accompany them.

The next day, Sivaangi sulked at her mobile when Ashwin told her that Anuradha and Anusha reached home. Not just Ashwin, she wanted to meet Saradha and Dhanalakshmi too. She sighed and put on a smile when she was called to join for recording.

There once Anuradha and Anusha had their lunch, they said they are leaving to Coimbatore. They requested Ashwin if he can come along and he agreed. They first went to meet the Georgian designers working for LS Showroom.

Then they went to LS Mills to meet Priya and Lingeshwaran. Ashwin didn't step out of the car. Noticing this, Anuradha asked him to come along.

"Illa, athai. Neenga poetu vaanga. Na inga wait panren" Ashwin politely refused.

(No, aunty. You go. I'll wait here)

"Illa. Nee um vaa pa" Anuradha said.

(No, you come along as well)

"Ama, vaa Ashwin. Vegama poetu vandhralam" Anusha said on noticing Ashwin's hesitation.

(Yes, come Ashwin. We'll be back soon)

Ashwin looked between the women and nodded. They walked inside and was greeted by Priya's assistant. Priya was already in another meeting. So, her assistant directed them to meet Lingeshwaran.

After formal introduction, they sat down. Lingeshwaran enquired about Binni and Kaleeswaran to Anuradha. He then spoke with Anusha and then looked at Ashwin.

"Thambi yaaru?"

(Who's he?)

Anuradha looked at Ashwin and then at Lingeswaran, "Enn Anni paiyan, anna. Peru Ashwin" She looked at Ashwin who folded his hands at Lingeswaran and greeted him.

(My cousin's son. He is Ashwin)

"Yenna kannu pannitu iruka?"

(What do you do professionally?)

"Amma business ku kuda udhavi ah iruken, sir" Ashwin said with a small smile.

(I help out my mother in her business, sir)

"Adhu matum illa. Pudhusa business vera start panna poran" Anuradha said with pride.

(Not just that/ He's starting a new business too)

"Paarah" Lingeswaran gave an impressed smile to Ashwin.

(Wow)

"Enn marumagan theramaiyanavan dhan" Anuradha fondly said.

(My nephew/son-in-law is talented)

(A/N- Marumagan translates to son-in-law. Nephews can also be termed the same. Here, Anuradha term Ashwin as nephew)

Ashwin felt jittery when Anuradha tagged him as marumagan. He only had his mother and grandmother growing up. It was nice to have more people in family. Especially with the way his equation with Sivaangi is, hearing this word from Anuradha hit different for him.

"Nalla varuva pa. All the best" Lingeswaran smiled.

(You'll do well, son. All the best)

Ashwin kept his hand on his chest and thanked him. Then Lingeswaran started discussing about the showroom. Priya joined in between. Ashwin just observed everything. Naturally he has business mind and he quickly grasped everything that as being discussed.

Once the meeting was over, they went back to Arasur. It was already late evening. Anuradha and Anusha stayed for a day more and left. There Sivaangi's recording last for two more days. Just when the recording was over, she was excited to go back to Arasur.

Sivaangi decided to surprise Ashwin. She informed her God-parents about leaving to Coimbatore. Harish was busy with work. So, she informed him only when she was about to leave. She didn't carry much. So, it was easy for her to travel.

When her flight landed in Coimbatore, Sivaangi booked a cab to Arasur. She texted Ashwin to know where he is. When he said he's in shop, she reached home. Dhanalakshmi and Kamala were there. She greeted them with a hug and after chatting for a while, she went to her room and refreshed herself.

Putting on a violet kurti, Sivaangi clipped her hair and dabbed some lip gloss before kohling her eyes. Air kissing her reflection on the mirror, she hopped on her way downstairs. It was already evening. After informing Dhanalakshmi, she walked to the shop.

When Sivaangi neared the shop, she saw few young women walking out giggling to themselves. She frowned as she walked in but paused on her steps when she saw a stall was set in front of the batter shop building.

Sivaangi gasped when she saw a small crowd of young women in front of the stall and Ashwin was packing the batter for them. Her frown deepened when she saw how those women were trying to grab Ashwin's attention. They calling him 'Ashwin' 'Ashu' 'Achu' 'Mama' can be heard even from there.

"What the hell!" Sivaangi muttered under her breath as she marched towards them.

"Ada maavu oru kilo. Aprm ragi maavu ara kilo Achu" A young woman extended her basket to Ashwin.

(One kg chila batter. Then half kg Ragi batter Achu)

"Mama enaku rendu kilo dosa maavu" Kirthi extended her basket.

(Mama, I want two kg dosa batter)

Ashwin looked between the two of them and arched his neck back, "Deii Rajessh, vegama vaa"

(Deii Rajessh, come soon)

Kirthi grinned when Ashwin took her basket first while the other woman scoffed at Kirthi.

Sivaangi saw Murugeswari, one of the workers crossing her. She stopped Murugeswari and enquired about the rush and the stall at front. Murugeswari told Sivaangi that their main machine to grind the batter got repaired and the mechanic is repairing it.

Since they only have limited batter, word got around and people came to buy earlier than usual. Murugeswari excused herself and went in, clearly busy with work. Sivaangi looked at Ashwin who was struggling alone. She walked towards him and stood by him.

"Yenna pannanum nu sollunga" Sivaangi said startling Ashwin who slightly jumped.

(Tell me what to do)

"Ma! Yepo vandha?" Ashwin's face light up.

(Ma! When did you come?)

The woman standing in front of Ashwin wanted his attention and so, she called out to him sweetly, extending her basket.

Sivaangi smiled at the woman and got the basket from her, "Oru kilo dosa maavu dhana" She then turned to Ashwin, "Ashwineyy, oru kilo arisi maavu pack panunga"

(You want one kg dosa batter right... Ashwineyy, pack one kg dosa batter)

Ashwin looked at Sivaangi, his heart warmed at her gesture. Biting back his smile, he nodded his head at her and started working. The women folk eyed at Sivaangi. Few glared while few recognized her and few greeted her.

There was a good co-ordination between Ashwin and Sivaangi. He measured and packed while she placed it in basket or bag and got the money. Saradha, who came out to check on Ashwin, was surprised to see Sivaangi. She came and asked Sivaangi to come inside but Sivaangi politely refused, saying she would like to help out Ashwin.

Within half an hour, all the batter was over. Sivaangi counted the money and hand it over to Saradha while Ashwin enquired the mechanic about the machine. Saradha wrapped her work and tagged Sivaangi along with her to home while Ashwin stayed back to get the machine fixed.

Sivaangi just had her dinner at his house. Saradha was helping Dhanalakshmi with some work. Knowing Ashwin would come, instead of going to Dhanalakshmi's, she waited in his living room. It was eight thirty when Ashwin came home.

"Oii" Ashwin greeted Sivaangi with a bright smile.

"Ashwinn" Sivaangi mirrored Ashwin's smile as she stood up.

"Yenna ma, varen nu solla ve illa?" Ashwin asked as he walked towards her.

(You didn't tell me about you coming here?)

"Surprise ah irukatum nu dhan" Sivaangi beamed and she asked, bouncing her eyebrows, "Surprise yepdi?"

(I thought of surprising you... How was the surprise?)

Ashwin did an appreciative gesture, "Amma yenga?"

(Where's Maa?)

"Paati kuda irukanga"

(She's with grandma)

"Seri ma, nee saptiya?" Ashwin asked placing his laptop bag on the couch.

(Okay, you had your dinner?)

"Na sapten. Neenga poe hand wash pannitu vaanga. Na eduthu vaikuren"

(I had. Wash your hands and come. I'll serve)

Ashwin smiled and nodded. He was famished after a long day. Sivaangi checked the hotbox. The chapatis were not hot enough. She quickly heated those and served him hot. He thanked her and enquired about Harish and others. She replied and asked about the machinery.

Saradha walked in and smiled at them. She sat down and enquired about the machinery and they three started talking about random things. Sivaangi excused when she got call from her home.

Later that night,

"Ama, ongaluku girl fans jaasthiyoh?" Sivaangi laid on her stomach and swinged her legs.

(You have a lot of girl fans?)

"Girl fans ah?" Ashwin chuckled.

(Girl fans?)

"Ama, inaiku dhan oru gumbaley ongala suthi irundhuche. Ashu, Achu, mama nu tu!" Sivaangi scoffed making Ashwin laugh.

(Yes. There was a small crowd of young women surrounding you today. Ashu, Achu, Mama, huh!)

"Yaruko inga kovam varudhu polaye" Ashwin teased.

(Someone's getting angry it seems)

"Huh, varudhu dhan" Sivaangi huffed, "Enaku pidikala"

(Huh. Yes, I'm... I don't like it)

"Ena pidikalaya?" Ashwin bite back his chuckle.

(You don't like me?)

"Heinnn. Andha crowd ah pidikala" Sivaangi scoffed before asking, "Yean? Ongaluku andha crowd dha pidichuruka yenna?"

(Huh, I don't like that crowd... Why? You like that crowd?)

"Cha, cha. Avanga customers. Velai la dhan focus irundhuchu" Ashwin paused, his voice dropped octaves as he said, "Aprm enn pakathula ninnutu irundha ponnu mela dhan mulu gavanamum irundhuchu.

(No, no. They are customers. I was focussed on work... And my whole focus was on the woman who stood next to me)

Sivaangi blushed when she recalled how Ashwin kept on stealing glances at her despite the rush work.

"Odanaee" Sivaangi whined, hiding her blush.

(As if!)

"Ada po ma. Nee na solra yedhuvum namba matra" Ashwin grumbled.

(Psch! You don't believe in anything I say)

Sivaangi giggled when Ashwin went on ranting. The night slipped away with them talking about random things.

A couple days passed with them continuing with their midnight talks. Sivaangi worked from home. So, she didn't have to go to Coimbatore while Ashwin was busy with his work. But they do spend time to talk now and then.

Ashwin and Sivaangi went to pick Harish. They straightaway went to LS Showroom to meet with the designers. Ashwin dropped them and went to check on the tailoring units. He came to pick them when they were done.

"Macha, enn friend event management business panran. Inaiku oru event organize panirukan. Suma mixed group of people ku DJ oda oru event. Namma polama?" Ashwin asked Harish but his eyes stayed on the front mirror, eyeing at Sivaangi.

(Due, my friend owns an event management company. He has organized an event today. Its an event with mixed group; with DJ. Shall we go?)

"Polam da. Enaku prachana illa" Harish said and looked back at Sivaangi, "Yenna Sivu, polama?"

(We'll go. I have no issues... What say Sivu, shall we go?)

Sivaangi thought for a second before sparing a quick glance at Ashwin and then at Harish before she said with a shrug,

"Polamey"

(We shall)

~ * ~

I'll try to update every two days (regularly) from now. We are moving into the next part of the story in couple of chapters. Hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. Please do vote and comment so that I can bring the next chapter soon.

Happy Sivaangi day makkaleyy! 💜☃️❄

Thanks to all those who asked for update. It was because of you this whole chapter happened. Thank you

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~